Best Online Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology 2021
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Prospective students interested in how biological, cognitive, and psychological factors impact behavior often pursue online bachelor's degrees in behavioral science.
A bachelor's in behavioral psychology explores the science and rationale behind human behavior. Graduates can use this expertise to pursue careers in business — guiding companies on organizational changes — or careers helping patients overcome negative behavioral patterns.
A bachelor's degree is the first step toward licensure, certification, and educational requirements for careers like psychologists, who earn a median annual salary of $80,370. However, many careers in behavioral psychology require a master's or doctoral degree.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 14% growth in psychologist positions between 2018 and 2028. The BLS also projects the number of behavioral disorder counselor positions to grow by 22% during the same period. These projections may indicate that a behavioral science degree can lead to lucrative, in-demand jobs.
This guide provides information about the nation's best online bachelor's in behavioral psychology programs.
| #1 | Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies Fayette, MO |
| #2 | Ball State University Muncie, IN |
| #3 | Brandman University Irvine, CA |
| #4 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MA |
| #5 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NE |
Featured Online Schools
Best Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Programs
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Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended StudiesLocation
Fayette, MO
Founded in 1854, the private liberal arts institution has grown to support more than 4,000 students annually through the College of Graduate and Extended Studies alone.
CMU's College of Graduate and Extended Studies offers a completely online bachelor of science in applied behavior analysis degree requiring 120 credits for completion. Curriculum includes 32 credits of general education requirements, 21-24 credits of tier two requirements, 42 credits of major requirements, and 19-22 credits of electives. Admission requirements for prospective first-time students include official transcripts and SAT or ACT scores.
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Ball State UniversityLocation
Muncie, IN
Tuition$13642
Graduation Rate63%
Founded in 1918 as the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division, Ball State has grown to support more than 20,000 students across seven academic colleges.
Ball State offers a completely online bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in applied behavior analysis degree requiring 120 credits for completion. Curriculum includes 36 credits of major emphasis designed to prepare students for the BCaBA exam. As part of the application process, prospective freshman students will submit official high school transcripts with proof of Indiana core 40 diploma or equivalent and extracurricular activities.
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Brandman UniversityLocation
Irvine, CA
Established in 1861, Brandman primarily serves nontraditional students and adult learners both on campus and online.
Brandman's hybrid or completely online bachelor of arts in psychology degree with a child psychology concentration degree requires 120 credits for completion at a cost of $500 per credit. Curriculum includes 42 credits of foundational courses, 48 credits of major-specific classes, and 15 concentration credits. Prospective students must submit a completed application, official transcripts with a minimum 2.0 GPA, and 12 or more transferable baccalaureate level credits or the equivalent.
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Bay Path UniversityLocation
Longmeadow, MA
Graduation Rate59%
Established in 1897, the independent and nonprofit institution for women currently serves over 3,300 students annually both on campus and online.
Bay Path's bachelor of arts in health and human services degree requires 105 core credits and 15 to 18 concentration credits for completion. Students can choose from nine available concentrations, four of which allow students to take graduate-level courses their senior year. Admission requirements include a completed online application, admission interview by phone, and official transcripts with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
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Bellevue UniversityLocation
Bellevue, NE
Founded in 1966, the private nonprofit institution has grown to offer over 80 degree programs across four schools and colleges.
BU's on-campus or online bachelor of science in behavioral science degree requires 127 credits for completion. Curriculum includes 37 credits of integrative general education courses, 40 credits of major requirements, and 50 elective credits. Students can also transfer up to 60 credits into the program through an associate degree or military experience. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, official transcripts, and a completed online application with fee.
Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is an Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Degree?
Behavioral science programs help students understand the reasons for group and individual behaviors. These programs may offer concentrations in areas like addiction and recovery, criminal psychology, developmental psychology, and crisis counseling.
Behavioral science degrees prepare graduates for counseling and therapist careers, which require licensure and usually exist within hospitals, private practices, and school systems.
Behavioral science programs hone communication, research, and assessment skills. Students learn to evaluate behavioral patterns and build treatment plans.
Many applicants to bachelor's programs in behavioral psychology intend to eventually pursue graduate degrees, which are required for many related licenses and certifications. However, graduates of behavioral science bachelor's programs may also qualify for certification as assistant behavior analysts.
Choosing an Online Program
Distance learners should consider in-person requirements, concentrations, completion times, and costs when determining which online behavioral science program fits them best.
The following guide provides tips on choosing the best online bachelor's in behavioral psychology.
What Else Can I Expect From a Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Program?
Online psychology programs explore behavioral patterns and human development to help learners assess and treat social, psychological, and emotional issues. Most programs cover abnormal psychology and general psychology research, and they usually include clinicals that help students pursue licenses and certifications.
Curricula vary by school and concentration. However, common courses address the following topics.
Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Curriculum
- Abnormal Psychology: This course covers the many ways in which people experience abnormal development and can display adverse behaviors. Students uncover the physical, emotional, and social causes of psychological disorders and learn about common treatment strategies. This essential information benefits any professional working with patients who experience emotional, psychological, or developmental disorders.
- Childhood Development: This course covers human development, beginning with infancy and continuing through young adulthood. Learners learn about factors that help children to meet developmental norms and what might disrupt this growth. Students also learn about common childhood development disorders.
- Social Psychology: This course covers the vital ways in which social interactions affect individual people's emotions and behaviors. Students learn about the prevailing theories of social behavior and how to apply these ideas to help patients. Detectives, human resource managers, social workers, and professionals who work with children all rely on this knowledge.
Behavioral Psychology Concentrations
Students can specialize their degrees in behavioral science based on their career interests. Common concentrations include addiction, human resources, criminal justice, and child development.
The skills acquired through specialized degrees can give graduates a competitive advantage when seeking employment.
Students who choose this concentration learn about the symptoms and causes of common behavioral disorders and explore practical methods to help patients alter destructive behaviors. This concentration also covers autism spectrum disorders and delayed development.
Many patients experience addiction to illegal substances, alcohol, cigarettes, and destructive behaviors like gambling. Students who specialize in addiction treatment learn the physical and psychological origins of addiction. Coursework covers diagnostic criteria and treatment options for people with addictions.
Children can develop rapidly on mental, physical, and emotional levels. Students who pursue this concentration learn about the many stages of childhood, what typical development looks like, and the many disorders that can affect childhood growth.
This concentration explores the psychological and social reasons that people commit crimes. Students learn about the criminal justice system, abnormal psychology, and how to help people with convictions reintegrate into society.
This concentration explores why people behave as they do at work and how to best manage employees. Students learn theories about organizational behavior and practical ways to apply those theories in companies. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in human resources.
Careers in Behavioral Psychology
Many graduates of online behavioral science bachelor's programs go on to pursue master's and doctoral programs. Others become counselor assistants, substance abuse counselors, or human resource specialists. Some graduates use their knowledge of human behavior to launch successful careers in market research or business.
Below are three possible careers for graduates with degrees in behavioral science.
Psychologists observe and assess patients for problems related to emotional, psychological, and social well-being. This can include interviewing and performing tests on patients to determine issues and choose appropriate treatments.
Professional psychologists can work as clinical, counseling, developmental, school, and forensic psychologists. Requirements are different for each position, but typically include a graduate degree, relevant experience, and a license.
Sociologists research and observe groups of people through interviews, surveys, and experiments to determine how they think and interact. Sociologists may base these studies on factors like cultural, political, institutional, or economic backgrounds. Their insights influence policy-making, administration choices, and lawmaking.
Sociologists may focus on areas like crime rate, education, and health. These professionals typically need a graduate degree and relevant experience.
Human resource managers make hiring and administrative decisions for companies. They help companies respond to workplace issues like sexual harassment and internal conflicts.
These professionals may focus on areas like payroll, labor relations, or recruitment, or they may be generalists. They often act as liaisons between management and the workforce and may also advise companies on methods for improving employee performance.
Human resource managers can work in a variety of industries, including government, manufacturing, and healthcare organizations. Most positions require a bachelor's degree and relevant experience.
Behavioral Psychology Professional Organizations
Professional organizations provide opportunities for graduates and students to network with professionals, keep up with new developments in the field, and advance their careers. Members usually pay annual fees in exchange for opportunities for certification, access to professional journals, and discounts on yearly conferences. Many associations also offer job boards and continuing education opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students can earn a bachelor's in behavioral psychology in approximately four years.
Graduates with a bachelor's in behavioral psychology can puruse careers as human resource managers, probation officers, and marketing managers. Graduates can also pursue additional certifications and graduate degrees, leading to careers as psychologists, sociologists, marriage and family therapists, and behavioral disorder counselors.
Behavioral psychologists earn a median annual salary of $75,110. However, actual salaries vary by experience.
Behavioral psychologists assess human actions and reactions through tests, psychotherapy, and talk therapy. Psychologists may use this information to perform substance abuse, mental health, and trauma counseling.
Yes. Other behavioral sciences include anthropology, sociology, and criminology.
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